Introduction to Database Development

DETAILS

A number of powerful tools are available to help you build databases and database applications. However, if you do not apply a systematic, structured approach to the use of those tools, you will probably produce systems that fail to meet user needs. Many projects bog down or are never completed for lack of a disciplined approach to development. This course will guide you step-by-step through all the phases of a system development project to guarantee that the resulting product will not only work as it was designed to work, but also that the design truly responds to user needs.

SYLLABUS

A new session of each course opens each month, allowing you to enroll whenever your busy schedule permits!

How does it work? Once a session starts, two lessons will be released each week, for the six-week duration of your course. You will have access to all previously released lessons until the course ends.

Keep in mind that the interactive discussion area for each lesson automatically closes 2 weeks after each lesson is released, so you’re encouraged to complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The Final Exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the Final Exam has been released, you will have 2 weeks plus 10 days to complete the Final and finish any remaining lessons in your course. No further extensions can be provided beyond these 10 days.

Week 1

Lesson 01 - Databases and Why We Need Them

Wednesday

Who can benefit from a database? Anyone who needs to store data and later retrieve meaning from that data. In this lesson, you'll see where databases came from, explore the major types, and see how the various parts fit together.

Lesson 02 - Developing a Database System

Friday

In this lesson, we'll define and describe the major components of a database system. You'll learn about the System Development Life Cycle, which practically guarantees the success of any database system you produce.

Week 2

Lesson 03 - Building a Database Model

Wednesday

Today, you will learn how important the non-technical portions of a development project are. You'll see why it's not enough to build a system that meets design goals--it also needs to satisfy the people who will use it. You'll learn how to build an Entity-Relationship model that is based on a consensus of what all the stakeholders need.

Lesson 04 - Practical Considerations

Friday

This lesson will teach you how to find out what the client organization really needs from the development project--it may be very different from what they originally asked for! We'll discuss the pros and cons of either upgrading an existing system or building a new one from scratch

Week 3

Lesson 05 - The Relational Model

Wednesday

Relational databases are by far the most commonly used database type today. They're the most likely type of database that you will find yourself designing and using. In this lesson, you'll learn the relational model: how to create relational databases that have the right combination of performance and reliability to meet your needs.

Lesson 06 - Using the E-R Model to Design a Database

Friday

This lesson is the pivot point of our course: Today, you will learn how to translate the Entity-Relationship model into a relational model that you can implement directly as a database. A model that accurately describes the system you are modeling is your best guarantee that the system you deliver will perform as you need it to.

Week 4

Lesson 07 - Implementing a Database Design with Access

Wednesday

Today, we move to the hands-on portion of the course. You will take what you have learned so far to build an actual database, using the popular Microsoft Access database management system. The database will track important information for a fictitious nonprofit organization.

Lesson 08 - Implementing a Database Design with SQL

Friday

In this lesson, you will learn how to build a database with the SQL language--a language that is supported by all relational database management systems. You'll also learn how to protect it from accidental or intentional harm.

Week 5

Lesson 09 - Building a Database Application Using Access

Wednesday

Databases store data. That's important, but it's not worth much if you can't pick and choose the information you want to retrieve from the database. Today you will learn how to create a database application that will give users a turnkey tool for retrieving exactly the information they want with a minimum of hassle.

Lesson 10 - Database Security and Integrity

Friday

It's more important than ever to ensure that your company's organizational data does not fall into the wrong hands. This lesson teaches you how to control who accesses your data. We'll also cover how to protect your data if your hardware fails or if some other unexpected disaster occurs.

Week 6

Lesson 11 - Building a More Sophisticated Database Application

Wednesday

This lesson takes you to the next level--creating sophisticated database applications by combining code written with procedural languages such as Visual Basic, or C with SQL statements. We'll go on to discuss how to make databases and database applications available on an organization's network and on the World Wide Web.

Lesson 12 - Database Development Essentials

Friday

This lesson emphasizes the critically important (but often overlooked) human aspect of a database development project. Your client may not have a clear idea of what they want at the outset of your database project. That means your communication and interpersonal skills are going to be just as important as your technical expertise. After we complete this final piece of the database puzzle, you'll be ready to create database systems that truly meet the needs of your client organization.

Any type of computer, and a database management system, including Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL, or MySQL.

INSTRUCTOR

Allen G. Taylor is a 30-year veteran of the computer industry and the author of 28 computer-related books, including "Crystal Reports 2008 For Dummies," "Database Development For Dummies" and "SQL For Dummies." He has been teaching computer courses for over ten years.

REVIEWS

Great course! This week I was able to contribute in a conversation about ODBC and API in a 3-tier environment. I couldn't do that before taking this course. Thanks!

I am a very busy professional and I found this course to be EXACTLY what I needed to expand my knowledge areas. The instructor is very knowledgeable and was in-step 100% with the current industry leaders opinions and best practice recommendations.

I liked the course very much and it has changed my view (in a positive and constructive manner), on how to approach building a database. I especially liked the introduction to the course as it gave me an insight as to the background of students undertaking this course. This is especially interesting as students are from different parts of the world.

I thought the course was very interesting, and the way the course was formatted really got your attention. It shows that the instructor was very knowledgeable about the course. I would recommend it to anyone who is just learning Database Development, and even if you are familiar with the Developmental areas it can help you look at the process differently.

The course was very useful. I was designing a database when I took the course. With this information, I went back through the porcess and re-designed the database. It was greatly improved.

This course helped me to better understand the database software and how the components relate. The additional reading was very helpful.

This course was very beneficial to me in developing my professional skills.

This course was very helpful to me. It gave me a good start in developing a database of orders/parts/inventories. The lessons were well-written and easy to follow, but were also challenging.